Elemental: The First

By Alexandra May

Just who is Halíka Dacomé?

To Rose Frost, moving house every six months is normal. Another town here, another school there, her ability to adapt is as easy as breathing. But everything changes when her parents go overseas and Rose moves in with her grandmother. She enjoys meeting new friends and catching up with old ones from her childhood holidays -- except now she must hide a precious secret from everyone, a gift from birth that defies modern day science.

Her dreams become riddled with a warrior woman called Halíka Dacomé, but are they visions or messages from the future? She starts her own investigation but encounters more questions than answers. Living right on the edge of Warminster in Wiltshire doesn't help with its folklore and myths about strange lights in the sky and ghost stories of the Salisbury Plain.

Not only that, her troubles really take hold one night when the mysterious Aiden Deverill with his alluring smile, his gorgeous dark looks and hypnotising blue eyes, saves her from a freak fire. Or did he?

For Rose, her new life is beginning but she soon realises that despite assurances people are not always what they seem. What she always believed to be a happy family and a friendly town soon turns on its head when she discovers that her family secret, Aiden Deverill and the truth behind Halíka Dacomé is at the heart of the whole conspiracy.

-

This book is perfect for teens aged 14 or upwards.

You can visit the authors website at alexandramay.co.uk

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alexandra May
• Release date: Jul 10, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465904256

Alexandra May

Alexandra May is an English author of four books, bringing together the epic saga of Halíka Dacomé and her modern day equivalent, Rose Frost.Elemental: The First, Elemental: Origin The Battle for Arcanon Major and Ethandun draw in Alexandra's love of strong women characters, sci-fi, history, romance and a little warmongering on the side!For information on the series please visit her website http://www.alexandramay.co.uk

Book preview

Elemental: The First

(Primord series #1)

by Alexandra May

© Alexandra May 2011

Smashwords Edition

A YOUNG ADULT SCIENCE FICTION FANTASY

ALEXANDRA MAY ASSERTS THE MORAL RIGHT TO BE IDENTIFIED AS THE AUTHOR OF THIS WORK.

This novel is entirely the work of fiction. The physical setting of the book is Warminster in Wiltshire, England, and certain events portrayed in the novel actually happened in real life.

However, the names, characters and institutions in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Except for use in any review no part of this e-book/publication may be reproduced, extracted, photocopied, recorded or otherwise circulated without the prior permission of the author.

Alexandra May can be contacted at http://www.alexandramay.co.uk or by email at [e-mail]

This book is written in British English and contains the colloquial Wiltshire accent.

Praise for Elemental: The First

This book has left me completely and utterly astonished! It will draw you in with its suspense and romance, and once you finish, it will leave you begging for book two.

- Haley @ YA-AHOLIC Book Blog

For me, this is YA at its finest. There was drama, intrigue, and mystery, romance without smut, betrayal, and friendships. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone

- Ellen - Goodreads Member

Everything about this book was unpredictable. I was amazed at how the writing immediately drew me in.

- Uputdownablebooks Book Blog

I could not put this book down. I literally gasped out in shock at points. I'm so excited for the next book in the Primord series. I have a feeling it will get better and

better and who doesn’t love that!

- Graceful Reads Book Blog

This is a tale full of mystery and intrigue, by the end I was wondering just who Rose could trust.

- Book Monster Reviews

Elemental: The First is not one to be missed out on. Awesome characters, thrilling plot and very intense relationships….what’s not to like.

- Book Passion for Life Book Blog

What a twist of a book. I was honestly expecting one thing and got something completely different, something amazing, and so original.

- Airicka Phoenix Blog

The story line is awesome; I loved the mystery aspect of it. I was so disappointed when I finished, I didn’t want the book to end!

- Alexis Chronicles Book Blog

This book was amazing! The author really grabbed your attention right away. I was really intrigued by the story and I can’t wait to read the sequel.

- Rather Barefoot than Bookless Book Blog

Elemental: The First

And before the race is built anew,

a silver serpent comes to view

and spew out men of like unknown,

to mingle with the earth now grown

cold from its heat and these men,

can enlighten the minds of future man

to intermingle and show them how,

to live and love and thus endow.

the children with the second sight.

A natural thing so that they might

grow graceful, humble and when they do,

the golden age will start anew.

Mother Mary Shipton – Prophecies

Present day

The cavernous room was windowless. The lights, higher up the tall walls, were ineffectual as the seven seated men stared into the gloomy shadows. They sat at a rectangular wooden table, a lone candelabrum their only source of authentic light. Only one chair remained empty. The cloaked and hooded men waited, no one spoke. The only sounds being the occasional breath, omitting a warm mist against the dank cold room, or the creak of a wooden chair, so long unused. The men were in a dungeon, and they were all impatient.

The reluctant hinges on the upstairs heavy iron door squealed, the thunderous boot steps audible on the open stone stairs. The large hooded man walked assertively down the short flight into the dark room and took his place in the empty position.

Gentlemen, his voice echoed loudly in the empty hollow. We must act fast and act quickly. Now is the time. Our reckoning. We must decide our fate now before it is too late. I have just heard, through my source, that the last of my kind is on the way, a young girl. As you know, she will look older than her young years, and has not integrated into her new form yet. Much about this girl is unknown; she has been protected well by her keepers.

The man looked into the black hoods of his silent conspirators and continued relentlessly.

But this is a new age, the 21st century, a new dawn of time. Do we continue along our path, reaping the rewards that fall our way, or do we disappear quietly like petals in a wind with our quest unfinished?

He looked into each face, waiting for some sign, a reaction, an eyebrow raise, or a nod. He received nothing in return. The hidden faces were still and silent. He persisted anxiously.

"I am not afraid of her. She will be young, inexperienced, and vulnerable. She will be no threat to us. Gentlemen, you have been my advisors, my counsel, but most importantly, my friends. You know that our unity has brought us thus far. We have been together since my own integration, and I value your loyalty. But, please, you must think hard. We are in touching distance of our destiny; it is almost the end.

It is in our grasp. The final conflict. And once we kill the first Elemental before her integration, we end the bloodline once and for all. Halíka Dacomé has been our greatest enemy during these millennia. For all her goodness and peacekeeping, she is now at her most vulnerable and most defenceless in her form as the human child, this girl. Our two are the last remaining bloodlines of the four. Once she is gone, it will be ended and there will be nothing standing in our way to our ultimate goal. The last bloodline, my bloodline, will endure and soon everything we have fought for will be ours. This is our final chance to rid the world of its pestilence, the virus that lives and breathes. But we must strike soon. If we allow her integration, our whole purpose, our whole quest will falter, and I cannot allow that to happen. It must not. This is the time, gentlemen, and I need your decision now.

He crashed his clenched fist to the table, its echo pounding off the dense walls. He was feeling euphoric, his blood running hot as he finished. Despite the cool chill in the air, he felt sweat beads on his brow and he passed a casual hand to wipe it.

Benedict, said an older calm voice, beside the speaker. I have lived long enough to know that, now, in these present times, we cannot continue. There is no point going on. I am an old man. I would rather live the rest of my life in peace than know Halíka Dacomé may be coming for me. I have no reason to wish this young girl harm. She is the same age as my granddaughter and I could never forgive myself. Let it be.

There was a whispered agreement from several of the other men.

Benedict looked to his left at the man. I hear what you’re saying, Dunbar, but need I remind you of the peril that Halíka Dacomé once put your family in? She may be a young girl now but in a few weeks and months, she will be powerful. She is not ordinary in any way, and you have grown soft if you think of her that way. She killed your first wife and your first child. Will their deaths be in vain?

Dunbar sat quietly for a moment, deep in thought.

What’s past is past, and maybe what happened was justified. She fought us and we fought back, and ultimately my family paid the price. Many of our families did, but no worse than we did to the other Elementals. It was the actions of our ancestors that sent the Elementals into hiding. We were lucky to find the first two, to find them and to end them, but it took 740 years of pain and suffering.

Dunbar wheezed a shallow breath and coughed lightly, looking down.

Jacob stood. His chair scraped the floor as it slid back.

Benedict, no one here dare say this but I shall. Halíka Dacomé has always been within our grasp, but you didn’t act in time, and instead chose your own path, against our wishes, I might add. When you stripped Daisy Frost’s force of power, you acted selfishly, and put us all in danger. You coveted her, and she bargained with you. Was the life of your grandson worth it? Jacob said, his tone acidic.

How can you ask me that? Benedict scoffed. My grandson is my legacy. I don’t doubt that you all thought it foolhardy, but my agenda was not to end his life.

But that’s the bargain you made. She begged you. You would have killed her and then finished him. That would have left you all alone. You could have had your dream there and then. No more Elementals. No more destiny. The Four Primordial powers would all have been yours. But you couldn’t do it, you failed, and now there is this young girl, who will become Halíka Dacomé, and will soon be let loose upon us all. Do you really believe that after all these years, once their memories integrate, she won’t be after a little redemption? A little payback? She’s been neutered, kept captive. When she returns she will be more dangerous than ever, and the fact that she’ll be in a young body will only make things worse. She’ll be faster, stronger, and her taste for our blood will be…

That’s why it has to be now, Benedict shouted. Don’t you understand? We have to act now, and soon.

No, another man stood. Let it go. Let it be. I have a nice life away from all of this. I will not see more slaughter. It’s over.

Andrew , I never took you for a coward, Benedict gasped. You might live a cosy existence in South America now but you are the youngest of us all. You alone should understand why this has to be done.

Why? Andrew answered. Because I had nothing before all of this? Because you helped me when I left the orphanage, clothed me and gave me a purpose when I had little else? No, above all things, this life has made me realise that our war should end and this young girl deserves a chance at life, even more than us. I will not agree to this. And neither will your grandson.

My grandson is well aware of the ultimate price. He knows what he must do. I have taught him well enough and he will do as I say.

No, Benedict, he won’t, Andrew continued. He won’t because he’s been brought up in a different life than we had. We had to fight and claw and grasp for everything that we have now. He isn’t like us, and you need to know that.

My grandson will do as I dictate. He will be like us, and so will his Seven. I have ensured it, Benedict said confidently.

You mean you’ve brainwashed him?

No, I’ve educated him.

Well, I don’t want any part of it. Not now, not in the future. Andrew sat again, a chill crept down his spine at the notion, but he refused to take his gaze from Benedict’s angered face.

Nor me, another voice said.

Nor me, Dunbar concurred. You thought you had won, and in time you might have eliminated the bloodlines leaving yours alone. Until the birth of this girl. When she was born everything changed. Don’t you see? They got clever and they evaded us at every stage, and are still evading us. I say this with the best intentions, Benedict, for your own good. You cannot continue down this path.

From the table end, Simon scratched his chin and said nervously. Do you realise how much danger we’re all in if this ever gets out? These are new times, not the old days. Do you know, gentlemen, that there are references to us even on the Internet? The police only have to find one piece of our DNA and any one of us could be implicated in any number of the bad things we’ve done. With today’s scientific analysis we cannot be as thorough as the past. I, for one, would like to sleep at night knowing I’m going to wake up in the morning, and not be murdered where I lay by Halíka Dacomé. She is not a killer. She will only attack if she is provoked and you must not forget that she has allies, too. They will be powerful enough. We cannot continue. It is too dangerous.

Simon Perayan, her allies are mostly children! And a few ragtag adults who have been privy to our secret. They can’t beat us.

With all due respect, Benedict, we don’t know exactly who her allies are. None of us does. Daisy Frost is known in many circles, in higher echelons that we have little knowledge of.

Benedict looked dismayed. So, am I to understand that you all feel this way?

The room echoed with one word, its source masked as the black hooded men spoke at once.

Yes.

Benedict stood up from his chair and overshadowed the table. His hood slipped back revealing his short grey hair, which shone from the faint light above. His expression was pensive, his jawline taut as he clenched his teeth, and his eyes became ever angrier, darting from one face to another.

He stood tall as the other men appeared to shrink slightly where they sat.

Then our union is over and our House will fall. We have fought our battles and now we are running. How shameful. For thousands of years my ancestors have battled against the rest of the Elementals, defeating them over and over again, as was our right. Finally we have a chance at grasping our prize. Benedict’s voice now boomed over the heads of the men.

They all stood up in unison, chairs scraping, fear and trepidation filling the air. The man called Dunbar spoke. We have no wish to fight any longer. These are not times as before. Our time is now futile, but precious. Let us grow old in peace. The world has moved on, whereas ‘we’ have not. The Elementals, now and future ones, should be left alone to comply with their own duties. God knows they are needed. You should pass your power onto your heir and leave it in the hands of his fate.

I agree, Benedict, said Bartholomew. This is over. We will carry on as if nothing has happened and our alliance never existed. I agree with Dunbar that it is time for your grandson to take control. We are all too old to continue, as are you, Benedict. You don’t have the stealth or agility that you did sixty years ago. How would you beat Halíka Dacomé in her new form?

I will find a way. There is always a way! Benedict’s eyes were bursting with fury, his euphoric demeanour changed to anger and ferocity.

What will you do? Bartholomew asked.

Benedict was quiet for a moment. In truth he had not been surprised by this outcome; he had seen it coming for months.

I shall continue the fight. I will not give in so easily. I will find the girl, and kill her. As you have said, my friends, these are new times, and science has advanced in leaps and bounds. Now I will find a way to make sure Halíka Dacomé stays dead this time. The age of the Primord Elementals is over.

He strode past them, upright and poised, his confident steps not waning as he walked up the stairs and out of the room.

Present Day - West Wiltshire, England

It was the beginning of August. Rose opened the car window wider, leaning out with her eyes closed, feeling the rushing breeze on her face. The raging sun was like a furnace in the sky, its burning rays filtering down. She breathed in a full deep breath, alleviating the anxiety that had built up, finally feeling the freedom that their exodus was nearly over.

She leaned back in the passenger seat, sipping from a bottle of water. The air in the car had been intolerable, hot and clammy for most of the five-hour drive.

Rose ran her right index finger lightly under the curve of her bracelet, wiping away the moisture where the metal had rubbed against her skin. On the inside of her wrist, the two prongs stung as the blood pumped harder around her body in the heat. She didn’t complain.

Are they still following us? Rose said quietly to her mother, who peered intensely into the rear-view mirror and shook her head.

No, I think we’re safe now, her mother said softly, but her lips were rigid, pursed closed, her jaw clenched. She accelerated a little more and the car surged forward along the empty road, the distance to their end lessening as the minutes passed.

Rose’s mother, Dahlia, was a woman of few words but Rose could feel her mother’s apprehension. Once they reached their destination, it would not be over. This torrid journey was only the beginning.

Every element of Rose’s body ached from being immobile too long. Her long, lean legs needed stretching, already aching from idleness. Her throat was parched from breathing the dry, searing air, no matter how much she drank. Her stomach growled again in hunger.

Pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear, Rose looked back out the window. Her long copper locks were frequently tied back away from her bright emerald-green eyes. Her heart-shaped face was faintly impish, her cheeks flushed slightly with the heat, pale pink hinting through cream-soft skin. Her lips were redder now; she had to keep licking them to prevent dryness in the warmth and it was making them sore.

Rose was pretty to look at, but through her own eyes, her sister Amy was the one who stood out from the crowd. Amy always received more attention, stray looks and compliments from boys at their previous schools. Her Mediterranean look, the thick, brown, wavy hair, warm brown eyes and olive skin, made other girls pale by comparison. To Rose, Amy was the prettiest, and she envied her but would never admit it. Now Amy was gone, and Rose felt her heart pang at the thought of being separated permanently from her sister for the first time. There had only been one other occasion, when Amy, at fourteen years old, had spent a week in France on a school holiday.

The sisters had drifted apart as they grew older. Times changed and they both grew up, heading in different directions, different friends. They had very little in common. But even now Rose already missed her big sister.

This was a stressful time for all the family. A new move always was. Rose’s new home was in the southern county of Wiltshire, England. Weird Wiltshire as it was sometimes called. Crop circles, Stonehenge, and abandoned villages were a few examples of the mystic West, and the isolated town of Warminster, Rose’s new home, was on the perimeter of the Salisbury Plain, a 300-mile expanse of grassland rich in history, archaeology, and mystery. Warminster itself was well known for its army base, which had been established before the Second World War, and for the UFO stories passed down through generations.

Rose had scanned the Internet extensively in the few weeks before the move date, intrigued by her new home. Even now her copy of Wiltshire Myths and Legends was in her backpack by her feet.

Somehow the stories seemed more relevant now as she observed the passing Wiltshire countryside for the first time. How the deep blue sky met the brown earth making the horizon shimmer. The conjoining fields resembled a giant mosaic with their multitones of green, yellow, and brown. The contoured edges lined with hedgerow and trees that spread out for miles in all directions. Not a house was in sight and not a building close by. This remote part of England was extraordinary and intriguing. Rose was anxious to reach the end of this journey.

It would be just Rose this time. The family was separating for two years. Jeff, Rose’s father, had an assignment overseas, somewhere in the Middle East, and her mother would be joining him. They had been advised that it would be far too dangerous for the whole family to relocate and Rose didn’t like the thought of an international school abroad.

Amy would spend the next year completing her A levels, living under the guardianship of the college Head. It was her final year so it would have been unfair on Amy to move. To Amy’s delight, she had been given the best room at the college, with its own kitchen and study area. The free access to the Internet and phone had also not gone unnoticed. Jeff and Dahlia would be keeping an eye on Amy, whether she liked it or not.

And so Rose was moving in to her grandmother’s house. It was only vague holiday memories that Rose recalled of her grandmother, and she had never known her grandfather. When Daisy Frost had offered her granddaughter a place to stay, Rose’s parents had not been enthused by the idea, but Daisy had insisted that it was no trouble and was relishing the chance to know her granddaughter again. Rose was not entirely sure what her parents enmity was towards her grandma, but there had been a falling out sometime through the years, resulting in summer holidays spent elsewhere instead of with the only other family member that Rose knew. Rose had been only ten years old when she last said goodbye but her memories had been happy ones.

Dahlia had indicated that living with Daisy would be interesting. Daisy was a social go-getter and had an uncanny knack of bringing people together. Within a week, Rose was to expect dinner invitations, coffee morning requests, and shopping trips. The thought of it made Rose smile. Her grandmother was not the typical frail old lady figure, and from what Rose could gather, Daisy seemed to attend more social events than the Queen of England herself.

Dahlia and Rose had had a talk prior to the move. Rose was sensible and very mature for her age. She knew about healthy eating, about keeping fit, and getting enough sleep. She’d studied self-defence with extra kick-boxing sessions whenever there had been an hour to spare, but this time Rose had insisted on one vital clause, as was her right. She wanted her independence.

Living with Daisy would be fulfilling all her needs. But Rose wanted to play music loud if she wanted, and to invite friends over or go out without having to ask permission every time. Surely she could be trusted to do these small things now? She didn’t want to be nagged about homework or staying out late, and most of all she didn’t want to be dragged around by her grandmother. Daisy had understood. Rose’s mother had duly provided her with a new touch-screen mobile phone complete with video camera for emergencies only, Dahlia had insisted. Rose had been ecstatic.

They had all agreed that from now on, it would be about trust. Her grandmother would trust her to act mature and make grown-up decisions, and Rose would trust Daisy not to be overbearing. If either of them went too far over the line or faltered, they would renegotiate.

Rose had never been a wild child, and whilst the popular girls, her so-called peers, might have been drinking and smoking behind the caretaker’s office at school, she always had the attitude that there was more to life. In ten years, was that the kind of thing she wanted to remember of her school days? Or did she want to be a little proud of what she had achieved? Her precious few school friends had all been inclined the same way, too, so school reports had always been good and exam results exemplary.

This had worked in her favour. In five weeks’ time, Rose would begin the arduous task of starting at a new school, meeting new friends, forming bonds, and basically beginning her life again.

It was her fourth senior school in five years, so she felt like a veteran at it now. At least she knew this was the last time as she would be studying her A levels.

For Rose it was a new moment in time, a new glass shard in the mosaic that was her life.

Only this time things would be different.

Her name was Rose Frost. She was just sixteen years seven days old, and she knew on that journey, somehow, life would never be the same again.

Chapter One

For my sixteenth birthday my father bought me a diary. I remember my quizzical expression when I opened it, and fingered through the blank pages of the dark leather-bound book. I had never kept a diary before; there had always been enough photos and videos taken when I was young to remember our past.

It’s for when you’re living at Daisy’s. Each night I want you to write in it. Your experiences, your dreams, everything you do that day. It will be a great reminder for you when you finally come back to us. He hugged me closely, kissing my hair.

I never had dreams, not real ones that I could remember, anyway. I just hoped that my days would be eventful enough to at least fill a few pages.

My grandmother had bought me a first edition of Wiltshire Myths and Legends, which was appropriate. Every night since my birthday, I had been enthralled by the stories of King Sil of Silbury Hill, the headless horsewoman of Savernake Forest, the Roman legions who march halfway under the ground at Edington, and the story of mysterious birds that fell out of the sky in Warminster. I always loved stories as a small girl. My father would read Greek mythology or Norse tales,

Reviews for Elemental

[PortugalConfidential · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really fun, enthralling and SMART young adult story. Who doesn't love supernatural powers thrown in with their romance?!?

[cherrybob_omb · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked that this book was something a bit different to others I've been reading lately, especially in the YA area. In parts it reminded me of a more mature Secret Seven type of book- a group of kids looking into a possible crime, uncovering secrets as they go- but with a paranormal twist. The characters were likeable, though I think they will grow on me more as the series progresses. Rose, in particular, has the potential to be a strong and sassy heroine who prioritizes saving lives over kissing boys (not that that's not fun too).

A lot of time was spent on setting the story up and I think the second book will benefit from this, and I look forward to being able to jump straight back into the story without all the setup. I was so disappointed that the book ended right when it was getting into all the action as it had taken so long to get to the point where (some of) my questions were answered that I just wanted to know more.

I wish there had been more of Grandma Daisy in the book. She and Rose put off their planned serious conversation for the entire book, and I really wanted to get to know more about that character- there are not enough cool grannys in books. I'm also looking forward to learning more about the mythology, as well as Rose's abilities. (I love that she can "talk" to plants and have already imagined many silly conversations she could have with them).

[tanat-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What can I say first about this book well you know when you’re reading a good book and you don't stop till you reach the end, that's what this book was for me. And then you reach the end you and you want the next book right NOW. Searching you find that it’s not released yet and you curse under your breath. Well that's what happened when I finished this book. LOL

It is written well I really liked Alexandra May writing; it flowed and was easy to read. I will read anything she writes at this point.

I enjoyed all the characters, Daisy is not your typical grandmother, and she gives Rose freedom to make her own decisions and expects Rose to give her the same back.

This story has a drama, mystery and of course romance 2 handsome young men, both who Rose has some connection with.... So who does end up with humm guess we will have to see is it Morgan or will it be Aiden?

This series is going to be good; I hope Alexandra is writing fast so we can continue on with this exciting series.

[bailschris · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Elemental: The First is the beginning of the Primord series by Alexandra May and from the beginning, it draws the reader in. It tells the story of Rose, a girl who constantly moves because of her father's job, as she discovers just who she is meant to be. From the moment she was born, it was clear that she was different and when she grew up, her differences became more real. She had a gift -- to heal and to kill -- and no one claims to know why. It is set in a period of Rose's life when she is being separated from her family for the first time and she is moving in with a grandma that her parents had cut ties with. The novel is full of betrayal, romance, mystery, and a little bit of action.The plot was a different kind of reincarnation than previously explored in any books I've read. It is and it isn't reincarnation at the same time. Okay, to be honest, I'm not quite sure how to categorize it until the second book comes out. There was several surprises and twists that caught me off guard such as what characters were chosen to play a big part and which took smaller parts despite how they were introduced. I loved all of the history used throughout the book as well as the different myths and stories told throughout the story. The whole story held a lot of mystery and left a lot of unanswered questions that I expected will be answered in the sequel. It didn't leave me angry because of the unanswered questions but rather, I knew that there was more to be answered.Rose was an interesting main character at the beginning because I didn't know how to read her. A lot of the first few chapters displayed her weaknesses as a character and her uncertainty in herself. Not that there is anything wrong with that, for I don't expect every character I read to to be cocky or self obsessed. I think it was refreshing but I had a hard time grasping her personalities when it began. The ties between her and Halíka Dacomé was cool even though it wasn't as explored as I would've liked it to be. I loved that despite the fact that she was physically strong, her greatest strength was her courage, hope, and trust. Although they are often thought of as naive, I thought that these were the best qualities of her.Now onto the two lovely men who are vying for Rose's affections (sort of):Aiden was the bad boy love interest for Rose with his violent past and unsavory character that everyone isn't afraid to warn her about. I think that the way he was raised had a lot to do with how he treated people and the way he acted. I've dealt with kids who based on their background have become traumatized to the point where they display their trauma by doing it to other kids. I gained both respect (which I am sure many of you think is undeserved) and hope for this character that no one seemed to like. Sometimes, I think it the people that are screwed up and aren't perfect that make the best love interests because it requires to main character to give a lot. A broken person needs only help to heal.Morgan was the golden boy of the story, the 'everybody's choice' love interest for Rose. From the moment the story begins, it was all about how perfect he would be for her and how she needs to just trust him. It made me extremely wary because it seems like the greatest guys always have the darkest intentions -- even though Aiden most certainly has dark intentions but that's expected. To me, he felt comfortable and easy for her to be with and the relationship wouldn't require growth for either character. He was so sweet though, he cared a lot about Rose especially when I questioned other people's motives. I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes for his character as whole that I would love to know more about.Basically, I don't know who she is ending up with and yeah... Stupid love triangles, always making me wait to find out who is better for the character.I adore all of her friends, okay that's not entirely true. I loved Hannah, Jez, and Mira but I can't decide of that's because they play the biggest parts or what. Can we discuss the cutest couple in the whole story? Hannah and Jez are undeniable the most adorable side couple ever. I can't wait to see it grow into something more. Honestly, I can't wait to watch all of the characters grow and mature throughout the books. Her grandma Daisy is another awesome character to watch out for with all of her fun qualities and interesting dialog. She keeps you on your toes during the book and was one of the most likable characters from the beginning of the story.Overall, it was awesome. I am dying to read the next book. Check it out for yourself, you won't be sorry.

[virginiagill · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was another journey into young adult fiction for me and I loved it. The characters are well written and easy to invest yourself in and the action of the book flows very well. Despite the author invoking my pet peeve by leaving the story unfinished with a get the next book note I loved it. Enough so that were I would usually NOT buy a second book under that circumstance this time I will. Young adult or an old one this is a great read.